erl Posted October 30, 2007 Share #1 Posted October 30, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just got the quote to repair my M8 RF. AU$1400! It had just returnd from Solms (a two month trip) where it was adjusted for focus. I spent a day testing it and was perfect. Then, I dropped it off my lap in my car (door open) onto the roadway. Only 27" or 0.7 mtr. Not a scratch, mark or ding to be seen. Whew! BUT, the RF was now way out. No alternative but to return to Solms. S***t! They have quoted me AU$1400 for the replacement of the RF assembly. I now have two questions. 1. Is there any point in me asking for the old assy. to be returned, so I can see the damage, and also satisfy my curiosity regarding its internal workings? 2. Just how robust is the M8, or for that matter, any M camera? I always believed them to be "built like tanks." If they are, their robustness is in the form of durability rather than ruggedness it would seem. In my opinion, my accident was 'minimal' in outward observation, despite the fatal consequence. I have had plastic cameras survive far worse. Of course, they could not capture images with the same quality as the Leicas, but they did keep working! I am more than a little upset at the level of disaster for a relatively 'minor' accident. My expectation of durability is somewhat dented. Just to add to the disaster, I had to buy another M8 to keep working as I have committed to th system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 30, 2007 Posted October 30, 2007 Hi erl, Take a look here Eeek! M8 RF broken. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
delander † Posted October 30, 2007 Share #2 Posted October 30, 2007 The passport covers accidental damage? Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fursan Posted October 30, 2007 Share #3 Posted October 30, 2007 Erl, Ouch and Ouch. it hurts me just to hear of it. Good Luck with your 2nd M8. Hope this one is fixed properly and soon. Best. I just got the quote to repair my M8 RF. AU$1400! It had just returnd from Solms (a two month trip) where it was adjusted for focus. I spent a day testing it and was perfect. Then, I dropped it off my lap in my car (door open) onto the roadway. Only 27" or 0.7 mtr. Not a scratch, mark or ding to be seen. Whew! BUT, the RF was now way out. No alternative but to return to Solms. S***t! They have quoted me AU$1400 for the replacement of the RF assembly. I now have two questions. 1. Is there any point in me asking for the old assy. to be returned, so I can see the damage, and also satisfy my curiosity regarding its internal workings? 2. Just how robust is the M8, or for that matter, any M camera? I always believed them to be "built like tanks." If they are, their robustness is in the form of durability rather than ruggedness it would seem. In my opinion, my accident was 'minimal' in outward observation, despite the fatal consequence. I have had plastic cameras survive far worse. Of course, they could not capture images with the same quality as the Leicas, but they did keep working! I am more than a little upset at the level of disaster for a relatively 'minor' accident. My expectation of durability is somewhat dented. Just to add to the disaster, I had to buy another M8 to keep working as I have committed to th system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted October 30, 2007 Share #4 Posted October 30, 2007 The passport covers accidental damage?........... this is not the point, I am amazed with the fragility of the inners of the camera, better buy a tank to protect the camera. Hope it all works out but it still is unacceptable Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted October 30, 2007 Share #5 Posted October 30, 2007 Cripes...I am not sure there is a passport on m8 is there? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted October 30, 2007 Share #6 Posted October 30, 2007 There is on mine Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
newyorkone Posted October 30, 2007 Share #7 Posted October 30, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) There are so many factors with a fall so it really isn't fair to just say it was only 28". The surface that it landed on, how it landed, etc. etc. etc. I'm certain there are people on this forum that have dropped their M8 from similar heights if not higher and everything was fine. Unfortunately, your drop might have been in just such a way as too damage the RF mechanism. Then again, how did you come to such an estimate? If the camera is in your possession then how did they make the estimate for repair. If the estimate was made without actually seeing the camera, then you might want to get a second opinion. Here in the states we have Dag and Sherry Krauter, both very reputable independent technicians. Good luck and hope that your camera is back to good health soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted October 30, 2007 Share #8 Posted October 30, 2007 So how come Erl has to worry about a quote? I mean, is there or isnt there warranty? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted October 30, 2007 Share #9 Posted October 30, 2007 You say it's way out but is it functional? - Are the framelines illuminated? - Do the frames move as you press the roller? - Can you see the rangefinder patch and its image - Do the frames change as you use the frame preview lever? - Does the LED display look correct and complete? - Is your view through the viewfinder OK, no flaring or odd looking images? If so, it probably just needs setting up properly. If it has gone back to Leica, and this is their estimate, I wouldn't doubt it; it may be replacing a damaged finder is more cost effective than trying to repair it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 30, 2007 Share #10 Posted October 30, 2007 If you can still see through the complete VF/RF, there are no black spots/areas, and when you mount a lens and turn the focusing ring the RF patch moves and the frame lines change with different lenses then it just went out of adjustment. I to would like to know who/how they gave you the estimate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eoin Posted October 30, 2007 Share #11 Posted October 30, 2007 So how come Erl has to worry about a quote? I mean, is there or isnt there warranty? I presume manufacturers warranty covers defects or failure of components, not user induced failure due to miss use. I think dropping the camera would be considered miss use. I feel for you Erl, not a nice bill to face, but I can't see where they can justify a charge of AU$1400 (€900) to align the viewfinder unless it's seriously broken somehow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted October 30, 2007 Share #12 Posted October 30, 2007 So how come Erl has to worry about a quote? I mean, is there or isnt there warranty? M8 Warranty - yes. Passport warranty - that seems to be region specific. In the US, for example, we don't get a passport warranty on the M8, just a basic warranty It would be helpful to understand how messed up the RF really is. Is it just horribly misaligned, jammed, bits floating around etc? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share #13 Posted October 30, 2007 Attempting to answer the above questions: The quote was given by Leica in Solms. The camera is already back there. In Australia there is no 'passport warranty.' There is a 2 year warranty, but it only covers materials and workmanship from a quality POV. Not accidents! To answwer Mark's Q's. ALL functions appear perfect, framelines, LED's, cam roller works freely, frameline change correctly, no flare, everything perfect - except that when the focus patch is matched to the VF image, the captured image is way OOF. A layperson's obs. (mine) would be that the internal VF mirrors have shifted, or something similar. I guess this is partly why I was wondering if it is worth asking for the damaged RF ssy to be returned, just see what does go on. Because I have paid for it, I assume it is still mine, even if it is scrap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share #14 Posted October 30, 2007 M8 Warranty - yes. Passport warranty - that seems to be region specific. In the US, for example, we don't get a passport warranty on the M8, just a basic warranty It would be helpful to understand how messed up the RF really is. Is it just horribly misaligned, jammed, bits floating around etc? My observation was that it is just horribly misaligned. No other apparent effects of any description. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 30, 2007 Share #15 Posted October 30, 2007 Then I doubt the whole RF system will need to be replaced. Leica may even do it for nothing. You will not know for sure until you send it in. Oh by the way I have damaged a M RF. On a M3 that had a dent in the top cover near the VF window and then subsequently I dropped it off my lap, hit the foot rung of my desk chair and then the carpet. When I picked it up everything in the VF was black except the RF patch. I contacted Steve Gandy about it and he say Fogetaboutit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted October 30, 2007 Share #16 Posted October 30, 2007 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted October 30, 2007 Author Share #17 Posted October 30, 2007 Yeah! Thanks Imants. My problem is, I did it like your name ........ backwards! The s**t came before the cart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted October 30, 2007 Share #18 Posted October 30, 2007 .still reckon its a lousy deal the camera busting like that Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted October 30, 2007 Share #19 Posted October 30, 2007 My observation was that it is just horribly misaligned. No other apparent effects of any description. Bummer. You'd think that they could just buff that out ... (sorry) I wouldn't be surprised if they're just taking a standard view that if they can't easily adjust out the problem and the RF needs more time/effort spent on it to fix it then they'll just quote for a straight replacement. Maybe one of the specialists would be prepared to spend the time and can fix it but how long is the repair vs replace cost worth, particularly if they can't do it and you'll end up having to send it back anyway? You have my sympathies for the time and aggravation this all causes. My black M8 took a tumble a while back but my local repair guy managed to adjust out all of the horizontal misalignment. There's still a slight vertical shift if you don't look straight through the viewfinder, not obvious but enough to notice compared to an un-bounced M8. I've held off sending it in to get adjusted out by Leica, partly because I use it with my WATE/Frankenfinder so the RF isn't really a big dealfor now. Truth is, I've been dreading hearing the type of message you've been given. My camera fell maybe 6-8 inches and onto relatively soft ground (i.e. I used my foot to break the fall) but it was enough to knock the RF out of alignment horizontally and vertically. Like you, I ended up getting a second M8 to cover myself for the inevitable repair separation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted October 30, 2007 Share #20 Posted October 30, 2007 Erl, Do you have insurance on the camera? When I was in Australia I had a contents policy with Westpac that covered accidental loss and damage for nominated items. It was a super cheap way of insuring my gear. Covers new replacement if the item is lost or irreperable, otherwise repair cost. David. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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